Stop Washing Machine Vibration

Simply adjust the legs to keep your washing machine in place

Keep your clothes washing machine from rocking, chattering and moving by adjusting the legs. You can level it in five minutes.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine:December / January 2008

Step 1: Level the front legs

1 of 2

Photo 1: Level the front

Lift the machine slightly with a pry bar
to take the weight off the front legs,
then turn the legs until the side of the
washer is plumb.

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Photo 2: Lock the legs

Tighten the locking nut up against the
frame of the washing machine to keep
the leg from turning.

If your washing machine
has been making loud
thumping noises and
moving across the floor when it's
in spin cycle, it probably needs to
be leveled. Fortunately, it's an easy
fix, though you may need a helper
to tilt up the machine.

Push the machine back into
position if it has moved across the
floor. Adjust the front legs to
make the machine level across the
front and from front to back
(Photo 1). The legs can usually
be turned by hand after the locking
nut at the top of the threads is
turned down, but if the threads
are rusted, use a wrench.

After leveling, lock the leg into
place with the locking nut
(Photo 2).

Step 2: Level the rear legs

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Photo 3: Loosen the rear legs

If the rear leveling mechanism is frozen
with rust, tap the legs a few times with a
pliers or hammer to break it free.

Most washing machines have
self-adjusting rear legs that level
from side to side, but dirt, lint and
rust may keep them from working
properly. If the back isn't level, tip
the washing machine up a few
inches and then set it back down
so the weight of the machine
loosens the legs. If the machine
still doesn't level out, the self-leveling
support may be rusted
against the washing machine
frame. Tip the machine off the
ground, then break the self-leveling
support loose by tapping the
legs (Photo 3).

Tools & Materials List

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Level

Pliers

Pry bar

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.